Three Canadian soldiers of the First World War laid to rest in France - National Defence Casualty Identification Program

Three Canadian soldiers of the First World War, Private Harry Atherton, Corporal Percy Howarth, and Sergeant Richard Musgrave, were laid to rest with military honours at Loos British Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle, France, (June 8 2023).

The families of the soldiers were in attendance, with the support of Veterans Affairs Canada, along with representatives of the Government of Canada and the local French Government. All three soldiers were reported missing on August 15, 1917, on the first day of the Battle of Hill 70 near Lens, France, and each was presumed to have died as part of the battle.

Private Harry Atherton was buried by his perpetuating unit, The Calgary Highlanders. Private Atherton died at the age of 24. His identification was announced by the Department of National Defence (DND) in October 2022. Corporal Percy Howarth was buried by his perpetuating unit, The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own). Corporal Howarth died at the age of 23. His identification was announced by DND in January 2023.

Sergeant Richard Musgrave was buried by his perpetuating unit, The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own). Sergeant Musgrave died at the age of 32. His identification was announced by DND in March 2022. The remains of the three soldiers were discovered during construction projects north of Lens, France, in 2011 and 2017. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was notified and took possession of the remains and associated artefacts.

Through historical, genealogical, anthropological, archaeological, and DNA analysis, and with the assistance of the Canadian Forces Forensic Odontology Response Team and the Canadian Museum of History, the Casualty Identification Review Board was able to confirm the identity of the soldiers.